Student Data Protection and Privacy

The Board of Education (Board) is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for students, in both physical and virtual settings. The use of digital platforms, including online services or mobile applications for general district operations and curricular has and will continue to grow in a 21st century district. With student information used in many of these platforms, the risk that this information could be distributed, lawfully or otherwise, also grows. The Board has implemented this policy to protect student interests while promoting the innovative use of such platforms to provide students with a 21st century education.

Public Act 16-189., an Act Concerning Student Data Privacy, addresses the provision of personally identifiable student information to individuals or entities outside Ellington Public Schools. While we are vigilant about maintaining student confidentiality under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), this Connecticut law adds a layer of requirements to ensure student privacy. Public Act 16-189 sets forth minimum privacy and contractual standards for all parties involved in the creation, use, or handling of student data.

Ellington Public schools follows the policies set forth in PA 16-189 using a contract addendum. Below is a list of software/subscriptions used in Ellington Public Schools.